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Sri Sathyakireeswarar temple is one of the most ancient and famous temple in the pandya region.Mother Ambica decided to destroy demon Mahishasura who was harassing the Devas.  She took nine forms, fought with the demon for nine days and destroyed him.  She had to incur the Brahmmahati Dosha for murdering the demon and sought the grace of Lord Shiva. 

Lord said that He was in this hill and advised Mother to worship Him for release from the dosha.  Mother did so by installing a Shivalinga.  Lord granted darshan to Mother and freedom from the dosha.Supreme Lord Shiva is in the form of a hill praised as Param Kundra Nathar and the place Parankundram. Kundram in Tamil means hill.

This is a hill temple. Sri Vinayaka of the temple is praised as Karpaga Vinayaka.  The Rajagopuram is of 7 tier structure.  Mother Aavudai Nayaki blesses the devotees from a separate shrine facing south.  The Nandhi the bull vehicle of Lord Shiva facing the hill near the flag post is as big as the hill. Other vahans as Moojuru and peacock are also near by.

Sri Nandi Bhagwan also graces in the entrance of Mahamandap with His consort Kalakandi.  Lord Nataraja graces in the Mahamandap surrounded by Sages, Mother Annapoorani, Shivasurya and Moon nearby.  Panchalingas are with their consorts in wedding form. 

Karthikai Muruga blesses the devotees with His consorts Valli and Deivanai.  The special feature is that Garuda Bhagwan is near Lord Muruga in a standing form in a this Shiva temple.  There are 11 sacred springs in the temple.

Temple Timings:


The temple is open from 5.30 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. and from 4.00 p.m. to 9.00 p.m.

Temple Festivals:

Special pujas are dedicated to Lord Shiva on Aani Poornima day in June-July; Tirukarthikai in November-December and Margazhi Tiruvadhirai are the festivals celebrated in the temple




Lord of the temple is praised by all the four Saivite Saints, Tirugnana Sambandar, Tirunavukkarasar, Sundarar and Manicka Vasagar.  This is the third Shiva temple in the Pandya region praised in Thevaram hymn.Lord Dakshinamurthi in the temple appears with His left hand placed on the serpent under his feet. 

Those suffering from prolonged diseases perform Rudrabishekam for cure.This is a Maal Vidai Koil- Shiva Vishnu temple.  Lords Shiva, Pavala Kanivai Perumal, Karpaga Vinayaka, Subramania and Durga grace from one shrine in this cave temple. 

Mother Durga faces north from the Rajagopuram in a standing posture with Mahishasura under her feet.  Karpaga Vinayaka is on her left with a sugarcane in hand sitting on a lotus flower.

Many sages are around worshipping Him. Right of Mother Durga is Lord Subramania with his consorts facing north.
Maharshi Narada, Indira, Lord Brahmma, Mother Sarawswathi without Veena and Mother Savithri in a standing form are nearby.

Lord Shiva is in a separate sanctum sanctorum.  Lord Vishnu as Pavala Kanivai Perumal with Mother Mahalakshmi is just opposite, that is, Vishnu is in the place of Nandhi.  This is a very rare feature in this temple, hence the name Malvidai ?Mal-Vishnu, Vidai-Nandhi in Tamil. 

It is explained that Lord Vishnu is offering His services to His brother-in-law Shiva.  He gave His sister Meenakshi to Lord Sokkanatha with all vedic ceremonies.Even today, the main deity of the temple is Lord Shiva only praised as Sathya Giriswarar.


Do's:

  • Do pray Your Ishta Devata before Pilgrimage to temple
  • Do Contact Temple Devasthanam information center for inquiry ,temple information and for pooja details etc.
  • Do reserve your travel and accommodation at temple well in advance.
  • Do bath and wear clean clothes before you enter the temple
  • Do concentrate on God and Goddess inside the temple.
  • Do maintain silence and recite your Istamantram to yourself inside the temple.
  • Do observe ancient custom and traditions while in Temple.
  • Do deposit your offerings in the hundi only

Don't s:


  • Do not come to Temple for any Purpose other than worshiping of God and Goddess
  • Do not smoke at Temple.
  • Do not consume alcoholic drinks at Temple
  • Do not Eat Non Vegetarian food in the Kshetram
  • Do not approach mediators for quick Dharshanam. It may cause inconvenient to others
  • Do not carry any weapon inside the temple
  • Do not wear any head guards like helmets ,caps ,turbans and hats inside the temple premises